For Jesuit priest, big powers’ confused plans fuel Aleppo’s tragedy

Fighters are destroying infrastructure, factories and buildings with their "big shoes". Displaced people, food shortages, education, migration, abandoned seniors and children playing at war are the consequences of the conflict. More than aid, people just want peace. The spokeswoman of the Catholic charity sends a letter for International Day of Peace.

United States, Red Cross and militias accuse Moscow and Syria.  Russia claims it is yet another publicity stunt by Al Nusra Front. Kerry and Lavrov grapple to save the truce. Ban Ki-moon accuses all sides, but especially the Syrian government

 

The court handed ten months in prison to each of the university students. Four years ago they participated in a protest during a visit of the then Prime Minister to the Middle East Technical University. The opposition slams prison as the government "response" to protesters and critics.

"In war, everyone loses, including the victors" is the message that ended the day in Assisi where religious leaders of most of the world prayed again for peace. “We do not have weapons. We believe, however, in the meek and humble strength of prayer.” In the appeal for peace 2016, men and women of various religions called for “encounters through dialogue, [. . .] to oppose every form of violence and abuse of religion which seeks to justify war and terrorism

Francis says his meditation at the ‘Thirst for Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue’ meeting. "The victims of war, which sullies people with hate and the earth with arms, plead for peace; our brothers and sisters, who live under the threat of bombs and are forced to leave their homes into the unknown, stripped of everything, plead for peace.”

The upcoming Chaldean synod will focus on a new bishop for the Diocese of San Diego, liturgy renewal, help for Mosul refugees, and beatification of Chaldean martyrs. For the Chaldean primate, “closer and more effective action among bishops” and a united position on the country’s political future and the role of Christians are needed.

At Mass celebrated before leaving for Assisi, Francis says that religions, overcoming their divisions, are to pray for peace in the common belief that "God is peace." ". "We frightened" by "some act of terrorism" but "this has nothing to do with what happens in those countries, in those lands where the bombs fall and fall day and night" and "kill children, old, men, women…".

4.1 million eligible voters out of a total of 6.6 million inhabitants. They will have to choose between 1,252 candidates, for a total of 130 seats. Highest abstention figure yet, around 42%. Experts predict Islamic Action Front will win 20 seats and become the leading opposition party.

 

The goal is to have 193 member states sign the ‘New York Declaration’, a joint charter to coordinate aid for “refugees and migrants". However, some states might undermine it for “self-serving interests”. Ban Ki-moon reminds the world that 86 per cent of refugees are in the developing world.

People are hoping for a ceasefire extension, but there is a widespread scepticism. For Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, the US attack on Saturday "threatens the fragile truce." During the current hiatus of peace, the Christian community has filled the churches for two celebrations dedicated to Mother Teresa. Meanwhile, the missionaries continue their work in Aleppo.

At Mass this morning Francis recalls Christ’s council: "Be children of light and not of darkness; guard the light that was given as a gift on the day of Baptism ". In all of us there is "a piece of mafia", “that takes advantage of the trust of others to plot evil."

One of the two officers was seriously injured. Author of the assault a Palestinian of about 20, hospitalized in critical condition. After three weeks of relative calm, there have been six attacks in four days. September 21 face-to-face meeting between Netanyahu and Obama on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

At the end of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis urges people to take part in the Assisi meeting  on September 20 as "a day of prayer for peace". In life we choose "between two roads: between honesty and dishonesty, between fidelity and infidelity, between selfishness and selflessness, between good and evil." A greeting to the participants in the National Eucharistic Congress of Genova. The beatification of Elizabeth Sanna.

Francis celebrates Mass in Santa Marta in the presence of the papal representatives from around the world, in Rome for the Jubilee. Their’s "is a vagabond’s life , constantly on the move. But you must remember three ways of going out: physically, culturally and spiritually. Never forget this ."

The Iranian Oil Ministry and the Chinese giant Sinopec will collaborate in the modernization of the Abadan refinery to the tune of 1.2 billion dollars. Together with Moscow two nuclear power plants planned for the Persian Gulf coast. Experts speak of great long term economic and environmental benefits from projects.